PIT-114US
`
`Document Imaging System Having a Camera-Scanner Apparatus And
`
`Personal Computer Based Image Processing Software
`
`This is an application under 35 U.S.C. § 111, a non-provisional application
`
`claiming the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §365(c) of International Application
`
`PCT/U52011/022549 filed January 26, 2011, and also of provisional patent
`
`application no. 61/298,912 filed on January 28, 2010, the contents of each are
`
`hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
`
`FIELD
`
`The disclosure generally relates to document cameras and to the field of
`
`document scanning apparatuses, and methods for both capturing real-time video
`
`with zooming capability and scanning high resolution still images of documents using
`
`the same apparatus.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`In the field of document cameras, it is desirable for an apparatus to capture
`
`real-time video streams with the highest clarity possible with zooming-in and
`
`zooming-out capability. Prior art of this field have achieved zoomable video directly
`
`output to video projectors with video resolution normally in Video Graphics Array
`
`(“VGA”) range of 640 x 480 or Super VGA (SVGA) 800 x 600 display resolution range
`
`and rarely can reach a resolution as high as 1920 x 1280 without drastically
`
`increasing the cost needed to build such as device.
`
`Such a limitation often comes from the limited resolution of video display
`
`projectors and the processing capacity of the electronic components which must
`
`support the document camera’s ability to directly out put analog video signal to the
`
`projector.
`
`In order for a document camera based on prior art to capture real-time
`
`video with high resolution images, high quality tele-focal lens assembly must be
`
`employed to zoom in and/or out on the object of interest to compensate the
`
`limitation in the electronic circuitry responsible for sensing, generating, and
`
`outputting frames of images in a video stream. Such limitation in the electronic
`
`circuitry of document cameras based on prior art makes it unsuitable for capturing
`
`high resolution still images required for document archiving, copying and display
`
`applications. The necessary employment of an optical lens assembly makes it
`
`mandatory for these document cameras to often have elaborate motorized housing
`
`Page 1 of 16
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`for the lenses, which results inevitably in relatively heavy structural configurations
`
`requiring considerably sized bottom panels serving as both a stabilizing plate and a
`
`housing for the electronics. Due to such reasons, these document cameras take
`
`away significant desktop space and have less than desirable portability. As an
`
`example, a prior art digital document camera is commercially available from an
`unbranded international OEM supplier, is shown in FIG. 1.
`
`Other document scanning prior art methods teach methods of flatbed
`
`scanners or scanning assembly working in conjunction with a motorized document
`
`feeder to capture high resolution images often in the range of 150dpi to 600dpi
`
`range. FIG. 2 shows a typical flatbed scanner apparatus, such as a ScanJet 5590
`
`Digital Flatbed Scanner by Hewlett Packard. However, such an apparatus must
`
`require a platen of certain minimum dimensions, which can accommodate various
`
`sizes of commonly used paper, and must have significant height in order to
`
`accomplish the scanning functions in their enclosed housing of the various
`
`mechanical and electronic scanning components. As the size of paper to be scanned
`
`gets larger, the size of the traditional scanners will also have to be larger. Such an
`
`apparatus is not space efficient and often has poor portability.
`
`Additionally, prior art scanners do not have any ability to capture real-time
`video of any objects, and almost impossible to capture any images of three
`
`dimensional objects. These scanners select a sub-area within a preview image of the
`
`document ahead of time, which requires a pre-scan of the document and therefore
`
`takes longer than a desirable amount of time. Scanning of paper documents is also
`
`time consuming ranging from approximately 6 seconds in highly expensive
`
`professional grade scanners to 12 to 80 seconds in order to finish a Legal sized
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`document.
`
`US Pat. No. 6,965,460 B1 describes a look-down digital imaging device
`
`having a linear sensor for imaging a raster line of an original image placed
`
`substantially below the look-down device, and achieving the capture of a relatively
`
`high resolution image by sweeping a raster line across the scan area in the same
`
`3O
`
`fashion of a flatbed scanner, also with the aid of a video camera device housed in the
`
`same housing unit. Although the apparatus described in this reference suspends the
`
`imaging unit on a stand, the time cost, electronic components, mechanical
`
`components, and potentially motorized components necessary in tilting and
`
`sweeping the raster line across the entire surface area of a target while capturing the
`
`35
`
`reflected linear line sequentially one line at a time, were not fully disclosed.
`
`It is
`
`Page 2 of 16
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`conceivable that the scanning time consumed to sweep the raster line across the
`
`entire scanning area can be similar to and not significantly better than the time
`
`required by commercial available flatbed scanners. However, this reference does not
`
`address the need for speed efficiency gains over existing flatbed scanners. The
`
`employment of a second assisting video camera required in the prior art increases
`
`the volume and weight of the housing unit.
`
`In another aspect, by requiring the
`
`inclusion of multiple components, such as the zoomable lenses, the linear scanning
`
`components, and the video camera, this reference is not advantageous in achieving
`
`sufficient compactness in possible embodiments of the apparatus described.
`
`US Pat. No. 6,540,415 Bl describes a stand with a hinged housing unit which
`
`can hold in place a fully self-contained, ready-made, commercially available digital
`
`camera, which closely resembles a point-and-shoot camera. As commercial digital
`
`camera products vary in design form factors, output connection technologies, control
`
`button accessibilities, and built-in imaging functions, this reference may not be
`
`adaptable to many possible variations to make a commercial embodiment practical
`
`or advantageous in real life applications.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Recent advancements in electronic image sensing technologies, such as CMOS
`
`or CCD sensors, and in compact optical lenses, supported by wide commercial
`
`adoption of compact digital cameras in cellular phones, personal desktop computers,
`
`laptop computers, and myriad other portable computing devices, has reduced the
`cost of digital imaging optical and sensor units dramatically. The latest webcam like
`
`digital camera imaging units are highly compact in terms of form factor, and can
`
`capture images with resolutions ranging from 2 mega—pixel to 10 mega-pixel
`
`instantaneously with one click for an entire US Legal sized paper surface area, and
`more importantly with costs at a fraction of what they used to be. Pixel resolution
`
`will increase beyond mega-pixel as much as 30 mega-pixels and higher, while costs
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`continue to stay low at the current level as demand for high resolution digital
`
`3O
`
`imaging units remains strong. With 9 to 10 mega-pixel image sensing ability in the
`
`digital imaging units, one can capture a digital image with native resolution
`
`equivalent to approximately 300 dots per inch (dpi) scanned in image of a US Legal
`
`sized document. With 30 mega-pixels and above image sensing ability, one can
`
`even approach near 600dpi native resolution for scanning a US Legal sized
`
`35
`
`document.
`
`Page 3 of 16
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`Recent developments of personal computing devices have made PC’s and
`
`other personal computing devices nearly ubiquitously available in most developed
`
`and developing countries. The presence of such personal computing devices has
`
`become a necessary and indispensable part of virtually every home and professional
`
`office. The application of a document imaging device in accomplishing common
`
`document capturing tasks becomes naturally and necessarily connected to personal
`
`computing machines, such as a PC or Macintosh computer.
`
`In view of the aforementioned, a desire exists for a document imaging system
`
`10
`
`15
`
`that is cost efficient, highly compact or space efficient, highly portable, and virtually
`
`instantaneous in terms of time efficiency, while at the same time, also being capable
`
`of producing real-time high resolution zoomable video and being capable of capturing
`
`high resolution still images of documents with one click “scan” processing. As an
`
`example, a user can keep the system on a commonly used desk surface, without
`
`consuming more than approximately 10 square inches of surface area, and can put a
`
`document or a 3D object under the facing-down image sensing unit of virtually any
`
`size or shape, and be able to click one button to snap a high resolution image of the
`
`object. At the same time, the user can transport the apparatus to a classroom
`
`setting to visually presenting instructional materials through a connected projector
`
`on a large screen, with real-time video, while maintaining the ability to zoom in and
`
`20
`
`out on the object.
`
`A further desire exists for the compact document imaging system to be fully
`
`self-contained with internally integrated and fully controllable image or video sensing
`and processing units, without externally combining or fitting with any other self-
`
`contained product, such as a commercial point-and-shoot digital camera. For
`
`example, such a compact and self-contained nature shall enable a business user to
`
`easily carry the system in a briefcase or other travel sized bag.
`
`Disclosed is a method of acquiring an image of a target to provide an output
`
`video image that has a plurality of frame images. The method includes the steps of
`
`receiving a series of frame images from a video camera, using a processor to
`
`manipulate the series of frame images, which includes determining a reference
`
`resolution for providing output frame images, and displaying and/or storing the
`
`manipulated series of frame images as the output video image without ever changing
`
`a resolution of the output frame images.
`
`Alternative embodiments of the method also include the step of executing the
`
`manipulation in an amount of time short enough so that the manipulation step is not
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Page 4 of 16
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`perceived by a user, i.e., in real time. Typically, manipulation in real time would be
`
`such that the manipulation would cause no more than a delay of twenty milliseconds
`
`between the time that the user enters a command and the command is executed.
`
`Additional steps of the alternative embodiments include identifying a first resolution
`
`for the received plurality of frame images and identifying a second resolution for the
`
`reference resolution.
`
`In the case of a manipulated frame image having a higher
`
`resolution, as manipulated, than the second resolution, reducing the resolution of the
`
`frame image to that of the second resolution; and in the case of the manipulated
`
`frame image having a lower resolution, as manipulated, than the second resolution,
`
`using the processor to further manipulate the frame image to reduce pixilation. The
`
`disclosed method will work whether the processor is housed in an external personal
`
`computer or if it is housed in an apparatus that contains all of the disclosed
`
`components.
`
`When the processor manipulates the frame image, manipulation can be any
`
`one or more of re—sizing the image, panning the image in a selected direction,
`
`rotating the image in a selected direction, or annotating the image.
`
`If the image is
`
`resized it can also be annotated at the same time that it is being re—sized, panned
`
`while being re-sized, panned while being rotated, etc. Any combination of
`
`manipulations will not change the resolution of the output image frames.
`
`A different method of acquiring an image of a target includes the steps of
`
`determining a reference resolution at which each frame image of the series of frame
`
`images will be maintained and storing the reference resolution in a non-transitory
`
`medium. A video image comprising a series of frame images is captured and an
`
`external processor is used to compare a resolution of each frame image of the video
`
`image with the reference resolution and the resolution of each frame image is
`
`adjusted to correspond to the reference resolution. After comparing the resolution of
`
`each frame image, each frame image on a display is stored and/or displayed in real-
`
`time. Also, a selected portion of the image of the frame can be re-sized at any time
`
`to provide a visual effect of rotating the image in three dimensions.
`
`Also disclosed is a document imaging apparatus that includes a digital g
`
`imaging unit. The digital imaging unit contains optics having an infinite focal length.
`
`The document imaging apparatus also includes a processor that is coupled to the
`
`digital imaging unit and that is configured to cause the digital imaging unit to zoom
`
`in or zoom out in real—time while maintaining a resolution value of stored images
`
`constant. A non-transitory storage medium stores images obtained from the digital
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Page 5 of 16
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`imaging unit and a display displays the stored images. A folding and telescoping
`
`suspension arm supports the digital imaging unit at a distance from a target to be
`
`imaged. The processor of the apparatus can be housed in the folding suspension
`
`arm or in an external personal computer.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
`
`FIG. 1 is an illustrative example of a prior art document camera device;
`
`FIG. 2 is an illustrative example of a prior art flatbed scanner;
`
`FIG. 3a is a drawing of an embodiment of the present disclosed system;
`
`FIG. 3b illustrates a component of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a;
`
`FIG. 3c illustrates the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a in various
`
`configurations;
`
`FIG. 3d illustrates a relationship between a top part and a bottom part of a
`
`compact camera stand;
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart detailing steps for executing the present system and
`
`method;
`
`FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting additional steps in the operation of the present
`
`system and method; and
`
`FIG. 6 illustrates a display screen showing additional features of the present
`
`20
`
`system and method.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
`
`With reference to FIG. 3a, a Document Imaging System 300 is fully
`
`integrated with a Personal Computing Device, briefly referred to as a Personal
`
`Computer (PC) 301 in a fashion that the Software Programming Unit (SPU) 303
`
`executed within the PC controls and implements the primary functions of the
`
`Document Imaging System 300 in software instruction code, while communicating
`
`with a miniaturized Digital Image Sensing Unit (DISU) 302, in full duplex fashion.
`
`The SPU 303 thus becomes the master or core unit, and the DISU 302 becomes a
`
`slave or auxiliary unit of the Document Imaging System. This ensures that
`
`functionality of the system can be made available to users in far more interactive
`
`and friendly ways comparing small control buttons on traditional electronic devices,
`
`while streamlining the configuration of the DISU 302 to an optimal level.
`
`The DISU 302 communicates with the SPU 303 residing in a PC 301 via a
`
`high speed digital connection (named as USB for illustration purpose) 304, such as
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Page 6 of 16
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`USB 2.0, USB 3.0, FireWire/IEEE 1934 400 or IEEE 1934 800. The SPU receives
`
`electric power from the PC 301 via the same digital connection, for the necessary
`
`imaging sensing processing functionality, without mandatorily requiring an external
`
`power source. The highly compact Document Imaging System 300 includes a built-
`
`in illuminating light source, with its power source also primarily supplied by the PC
`
`301 through the same USB connection 304, while an external powerful source unit
`
`is only optional.
`
`The DISU 302 is supported by a highly compact camera stand 305 with a
`
`folding suspension arm 306 that houses the DISU 302 along with an image
`
`processing electronic circuitry board 314 (shown in FIG. 3b) and supported by a
`
`weighted small profile base 308. The Document Imaging System could also be
`
`optionally augmented by including a flexible positioning mat 307, which has pre-
`
`defined markings to assist users in positioning the camera stand 305, and the paper
`
`document to be “scanned” or visualized.
`
`With reference to FIG. 3b, the DISU 302 comprises a miniaturized optical lens
`
`316 along with a digital image sensor (not separately shown), and has a resolution
`
`of minimum of three mega-pixels and can reach 20 to 30 mega-pixel range
`
`resolutions. The optical lens 316 and the accompanying electronic components are
`
`capable of capturing real-time video at approximately 30 frames per second with
`
`High Definition (HD) resolution, while being able to capture still pictures of the
`
`objects under the camera lens at the same time. The optical lens 316 has limited
`
`zoom range or can be a fixed focal lens. The depth of field of the DISU 302 lens
`
`however has a wide range of above 100cm, ensuring objects appearing under the
`facing-down DISU 302 appear focused and sharp even when the DISU is
`V
`
`substantially far away. Such a small imaging unit is as light as less than 102 in
`
`weight. Hence, the need for a large volume housing unit is eliminated. The DISU
`
`302 can be easily encased in a highly compact space. For example, the embodiment
`
`of the DISU housing as shown in FIGS. 3a — 3c can be as small as only 2.5cm x 5cm
`
`x 20cm and in some embodiments even smaller.
`
`The entire housing assembly including the electronic circuitry is encased in
`
`the folding suspension arm 306. For example, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a —
`
`3d is no more than 20cm in length. In one possible embodiment of the present
`
`system, the upright portion of the stand has two tube shaped parts: top part 309
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`and bottom part 310 with the top part 309 being inside the bottom part 310. The
`
`35
`
`top part 309 can move up and down so that when it is moved down, the total height
`
`Page 7 of 16
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`of the stand can be reduced, hence the entire device 300 becomes smaller in size
`
`and easier to transport. The telescoping relationship is shown in FIG 3d. The
`
`presence of groove in combination with an internal tooth (not shown), groove 318,
`and actuating lock 320 help a presenter raise and lower the top part 309 without
`
`having to substantially readjust the suspension arm 306 to reacquire the target.
`
`The lightweight DISU encasing further makes it possible for the base of the
`
`camera stand to be free standing instead of fastened to any desk surface, while
`
`maintaining stability only by including certain heavy matter like cast-iron weight
`
`matter. Therefore, the complete external apparatus encasing the DISU 302 is highly
`
`compact, lightweight, free standing with a folding suspension arm, which makes the
`
`apparatus highly portable.
`
`Displaying real-time video preview with zooming-in and zooming-out is
`
`achieved by the SPU 303’s instruction to the DISU 302 to capture and transmit a
`
`continuous stream of frames of images of a minimum of 2 mega-pixel resolution, via
`
`a high speed data connection such as USB 2.0, which for example, has raw data
`
`speed of 480MB/s. Each 2 mega-pixel or above frame of image is captured in one
`
`instantaneous snapshot of the entire surface area, without the need of line by line
`
`scanning, and has a resolution of at least 6 X the resolution of a VGA display often
`
`found in projectors. With an embodiment of 5 mega-pixel DISU lens resolution which
`
`allows for capturing images of significantly higher resolution than traditional
`
`products, the resolution of the present system will always be higher than the
`
`resolution of a display screen, for example, wherein the video frames are 16 X the
`
`resolution of a VGA monitor. The SPU 303 executing within the PC can display the
`
`captured video frames at enlarged or reduced sizes at the user’s control through a
`
`pointer device or keyboard, for example, using the mouse wheel to enlarge or shrink
`
`image sizes. Additional manipulation of the image to increase resolution even
`
`further could include background filtering and advanced interpolation, up to
`
`combining multiple images into “super resolution” images.
`
`Since the captured images are most often multiple times larger than the
`
`resolution of most computer monitor screens, the changes in image display sizes
`
`achieve the effect of zooming-in or zooming-out in real-time, digitally in computer
`
`software. For higher than actual sized magnification, an extrapolation algorithm can
`
`be employed to enlarge the original images with a certain level of pixelation effect,
`
`10
`
`15'
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`but achieves several magnitudes of higher magnification. At the same time, a user
`
`35
`
`can click one button displayed in user interface software constructs to capture a still
`
`Page 8 of 16
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`image of equally high resolution image of the object appearing under optical lens, so
`
`that in an embodiment having a 5 mega-pixel lens, the still image of a letter sized
`
`page can reach approximately 300dpi resolution. Ultimately, as imaging resolution
`
`increases to 20 to 30 mega—pixel range, one can achieve image resolution
`
`approaching near 600dpi. The SPU 303 software processing can also auto-crop to
`
`trim off unwanted color around the edges of the target document, and straighten the
`
`images, remove glare spots, in real-time or in offline mode, to further reduce any
`
`need to adjust the lens assembly to aim or preset a scan area.
`
`As shown in FIG. 4, the inventive method includes a variety of different
`
`operations that can be performed in a variety of sequences; however, the order
`
`shown in FIGS 4 and 5 is preferred. Step 402 is a decision step wherein the DISU is
`
`validated.
`
`If the DISU is invalidated, the system moves to operation step 404 for
`
`error processing; however, if the DISU is validated, the system moves to operation
`
`step 406, which is the initial boot sequence. After the system is booted, an output
`
`resolution of the sensor is selected at step 408. At steps 410 and 412, the system
`
`acquires a video stream that contains a plurality of video frame images and opens a
`
`data output port. Frame validation occurs at decision step 414.
`
`If there is a
`
`problem with the frame image, the system proceeds to step 416 for error
`
`processing; however, if the frame image is acceptable, the frame is encoded into a
`
`USB data stream at step 418, the USB data stream is outputted (at operation step
`
`420) and steps 412 through 420 are repeated until the end of the video stream is
`
`reached (at decision step 422).
`
`With reference to FIG. 5, the process shown in FIG. 4 continues to step 502
`
`wherein live video stream from the USB is acquired. A maximum resolution per
`
`frame image is set and step 504 and a bitmap image is acquired as a video stream
`
`at step 506. A resolution of a display screen is determined at step 508 and the
`
`bitmap image is scaled to fit the display screen size at step 510. Beginning at
`
`operation step 512, a video bitmap stream is continuously rendered on the display
`
`screen. The user can select any of the functions that are shown in decision steps
`
`10
`
`15
`
`2O
`
`25
`
`3O
`
`514a — 514f.
`
`At decision step 514a the system determines whether the user has selected a
`
`scaling (re-sizing) event.
`
`If the user has selected a scaling event, each video frame
`
`is enlarged or reduced at operation step 516a by the requested amount. At decision
`
`step 514b the system determines whether the user has selected a panning
`
`35
`
`(scrolling) event.
`
`If the user has selected a panning event, the system at step 516b
`
`Page 9 of 16
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`offsets each frame image by a vector that is proportional to a magnitude that has
`
`been requested by the user. At decision step 514C, the system determines whether
`
`the user has selected a rotation event; if so, the system at step 516C rotates each
`
`frame image by an angle that is proportional to the magnitude of rotation selected
`
`by the user. At decision step 514d, the system determines whether the user has
`
`selected a cropping event.
`
`If the user has selected a cropping event, the system
`
`proceeds to step 516d and each image frame is reduced such that only the area
`
`inside of a crop box will be displayed on the display screen. At decision step 514e,
`
`the system determines whether an image event is being captured, i.e., whether a
`
`screen shot is being requested, if so, at operation step 516e, the system will capture
`
`whatever frame image is displayed during the time of the request and/or shortly
`
`thereafter and before the request and will save the frame image in a file or memory.
`
`At decision step 514f the system determines whether a video event is being
`
`recorded.
`
`If the answer to decision step 514f is yes, the system at step 516f will
`
`capture multiple continuous frame images to save in a memory or file for later
`
`playback. Also it is useful to note that the system can continually look for user
`
`interfaces (at step 518) that would prompt decision steps 514a — 514f, the system
`
`can intermittently look for such user interfaces and/or the user can look for these
`
`user interfaces only upon request by the user.
`
`Additional features of the present system are shown in FIG. 6. Non-user
`
`controlled features such as auto—cropping processing 602, auto straightening
`
`processing 604, auto-correction processing 606, auto-shadow removal processing
`608, automatic glare spot removal 610 and image file management 612 are
`
`available to a user via touch sensitive display screen 614 or other user interface
`
`means. Also, commands 616a, 616b, and 616C can be manually selected by the
`user.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`By offloading the processing of zooming functions to the SPU 303 software on
`
`PC 301, the present system has eliminated the need for an optical zoom lens
`
`assembly, which is high cost and considerably heavy.
`
`Instead, an externally
`
`30
`
`attached apparatus can use very lightweight optical components such as one might
`
`find in a camera equipped mobile telephone or an infinite focal length digital camera,
`
`and with much reduced electronic or firmware processing. Such an integrated
`
`system of real-time image processing software working in conjunction with the
`
`external digital imaging unit, allows achievement of all of the desired properties, as
`
`35
`
`mentioned previously, to include, displaying real-time video preview with a high
`
`Page 10 of 16
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`zoom capability. The system can be configured to provide a minimum of 6x
`
`zooming-in and zooming-out, and at the same time capturing high resolution still
`
`images of 300dpi resolution, all the while maintaining a physical unit that is highly
`
`space efficient, lightweight, of a small base foot-print of no more than 10 square
`
`inches, compact and highly portable. Such configuration of a single DISU 302
`
`achieves the above stated desirable features without the need for an extra video
`
`camera, required in the prior art, for the purpose of assisting in and preparing for the
`
`image capturing with preview, alignment, or pre-selection of scan area.
`
`The present system offloads zooming and other optical functions from the
`
`10
`
`lens assembly to the integrated computer software processing unit using digital
`
`zooming and other image processing techniques, coupled with a miniaturized high
`
`resolution image sensing unit capable of taking a full page picture instantaneously
`
`and HD real-time video within the same unit. The present system is also highly
`
`compact and lightweight, thereby enabling a high degree of portability and space-
`efficiency. Furthermore, the system and method are novel in the aspect that they
`
`15
`
`fulfill functions of both document camera systems and document scanner devices
`
`and presentation and video display devices, hence the device described in the
`
`present system is recognized by popular computer operations systems, such as
`
`Microsoft Windows ®, Mac OS X®, or Linux®, as a dual identity device, currently as
`
`2O
`
`a USB connected web camera device and a TWAIN scanner device at the same time.
`
`The dual identity aspect of the device qualifies the system in the present invention as
`
`a new device category, which we consider as Camera—Scanner devices.
`
`The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable
`
`any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various
`
`25
`
`modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
`
`art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
`
`without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, one or
`
`more elements can be rearranged and/or combined, or additional elements may be
`
`added. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments
`
`30
`
`shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles
`
`and novel features disclosed herein.
`
`35
`
`Page 11 of 16
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`We claim:
`
`1.
`
`A method of acquiring an image of a target to provide an output video image
`
`comprising a plurality of frame images, the method comprising:
`
`connecting a slave digital image sensing unit to a master personal processor,
`
`the master personal processor receiving a series of frame images from the slave
`
`digital image sensing unit;
`
`using the master personal processor to manipulate the series of frame images,
`
`including zooming in or out without changing resolution of the frame images;
`
`displaying and/or storing the manipulated series of frame images as an output
`
`video image without changing resolution of the output frame images,
`
`wherein the slave digital image sensing unit is removably connected to the
`
`master personal processor via a master personal processor port.
`
`2.
`
`The method of claim 1, further comprising executing the manipulation in
`
`response to a user request in real time.
`
`3.
`
`The method of claim 2, further comprising:
`
`identifying a first resolution for the received plurality of frame images;
`
`identifying a second resolution for the reference resolution;
`
`in the case of a manipulated frame image having a higher resolution, as
`
`manipulated, than the second resolution, reducing the resolution of the frame image
`
`to that of the second resolution;
`
`in the case of the manipulated frame image having a lower resolution, as
`
`manipulated, than the second resolution, using the processor to further manipulate
`
`the frame image to reduce pixilation.
`
`4.
`
`The method of claim 3, wherein the personal processor is housed in an
`
`external personal computer, further comprising using an external personal computer
`
`to provide the processor used to manipulate the series of frame images.
`
`5.
`
`The method of claim 4 wherein the manipulation further comprises at least
`
`one of the operations selected from the group consisting of:
`
`re-sizing the image;
`
`panning the image in a selected direction;
`
`Page 12 of 16
`
`

`

`PIT-114US
`
`rotating the image in a selected direction; and
`
`annotating the image.
`
`6.
`
`The method of claim 5 wherein annotating an image is conducted during re-
`
`sizing the image.
`
`7.
`
`The method of claim 5 wherein the at least one operation is conducted
`
`without changing a resolution of the output frame images.
`
`8.
`
`A method of acquiring an image of a target comprising:
`
`determining a reference resolution at which each frame image of a series of
`
`frame images will be maintained and storing the reference resolution in a non-
`
`transitory medium;
`
`capturing a video image comprising the series of frame images in one
`
`instantaneous snapshot of a subject’s entire surface area without line-by-line
`
`scanning and using an external processor to compare a resolution of each frame
`
`image of the video image with the reference resolution and adjusting the resolution
`
`of each frame image to correspond to the reference resolution; and
`
`after comparing the resolution of each frame image, storing and/or displaying
`
`in real-time each frame image on a display.
`
`9.
`
`The method of claim 8 wherein the external processor is housed in a personal
`
`computer.
`
`10.
`
`The method of claim 8 further comprising when displaying each frame image
`
`on a display re-sizing the image without changing a resolution of the output frame
`
`images.
`
`11.
`
`The method of claim 10 further comprising re-sizing a selected portion of the
`
`frame to provide a visual effect of rotating the image in three dimensions.
`
`12.
`
`The method of claim 8 further comprising when displaying each frame image
`
`on a display panning